Q: Is there anyone's playing (past or present) that you're slightly jealous of?

A: Jeff Beck, because he's never lost the fire - unlike his contemporaries. I walked past him at Heathrow a couple of weeks ago and wished I'd had the nerve to tell him in how much regard I hold him (I did meet him in the studio about twenty years ago).

Q: Your house/studio is burning down: which guitar do you salvage?

A: The prototype of my Jack Dent Steve Rothery model: the only one in the world and a stunning guitar.

Q: What's your favourite amp and how do you set it?

A: It's a Groove Tubes Trio preamp and Dual 75 power amp. The three channels of the Trio are set:

A: It depends on the guitar, but usually low but not very low (so I can still play slide).

Q: What strings do you use?

A: Ernie Ball Super Slinkys 9-42 gauge

Q: What are you up to at the moment?

A: Recording an acoustic album, promoting the upcoming release of the second album of my Wishing Tree project, Ostara, which is released on 7th September (free track download and sound clips at www.reverbnation.com/thewishingtree http://www.reverbnation.com/thewishingtree and working with an outstanding guitar builder called Jack Dent from North Carolina on a Steve Rothery model guitar. I'll also be selling/demonstrating Jack's guitars and giving guitar clinics across the world (see steverothery.com for details).